FRC Blog - 2016 Motor Controllers

[Mark Sheridan]

Originally Posted by EricH

The problem is that then somebody is bound to try to ignore those limits and complain all over the Internet that the battery/power distribution/control/whatever system isn't good enough and needs to be fixed. (Just like the limits on pit setup during load-in!) It's not that the system is lousy, it's that you don't know how to use it properly!

Sometimes, you just have to have easy-to-enforce limits in place to keep someone from hurting themselves.

Just to argue the other way. It was kinda nice to stick with your favorite motors. Also, for 2015, I only used 3 CIMS and 2 550s , so next year I got to have another chance to go crazy with the motors.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Mark Sheridan

It was kinda nice to stick with your favorite motors.

Heh. Reminds me of another "good reason" to make a change.

Ever notice how sometimes the GDC changes the size requirements, seemingly at random? Kinda makes you rework your favorite drivetrain to fit the new sizing. I seem to recall (way back in the day) rumors about rumors about teams pre-building a drivebase before the season, then putting manipulators on top. Next thing you know, the dimensions change...


Could be a move just to shake up everybody. That, and... *drumroll*

...FIRST has not announced a replacement for the 775s. Which could very well mean that there isn't one--or it could mean that they'll be springing it on us at Kickoff! Could you imagine watching Kickoff and finding out that there's a replacement motor in that class?

[Mark Sheridan]

Originally Posted by EricH

...FIRST has not announced a replacement for the 775s. Which could very well mean that there isn't one--or it could mean that they'll be springing it on us at Kickoff! Could you imagine watching Kickoff and finding out that there's a replacement motor in that class?

Since FIRST is open to to adding speed controllers. I am willing to bet at least someone has been pitching a new motor idea for them to consider.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Mark Sheridan

Since FIRST is open to to adding speed controllers. I am willing to bet at least someone has been pitching a new motor idea for them to consider.

That wouldn't surprise me one bit. I'd bet that if someone doesn't do it for 2016, there will be at least one pitched for 2017.


Ya know... There's a lot of folks who think brushless is a great way to go. The real question is, can you keep a brushless motor from stalling? And... is one in the same power class as a 775 at a reasonable price? (Actually, I'd bet the answer to the second question is "yes", and to the first is "it depends on what I'm using it for".)

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by EricH

Ya know... There's a lot of folks who think brushless is a great way to go. The real question is, can you keep a brushless motor from stalling? And... is one in the same power class as a 775 at a reasonable price? (Actually, I'd bet the answer to the second question is "yes", and to the first is "it depends on what I'm using it for".)

Unless teams start the match with their motors spinning there is no way to prevent them from stalling.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Mark Sheridan

Since FIRST is open to to adding speed controllers. I am willing to bet at least someone has been pitching a new motor idea for them to consider.

Just pitching a motor isn't sufficient. There needs to be enough donated for a motor (or other electrical component) to be made legal.

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Unless teams start the match with their motors spinning there is no way to prevent them from stalling.

Ok...

Keep them from obtaining an insurmountable load

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by EricH

That wouldn't surprise me one bit. I'd bet that if someone doesn't do it for 2016, there will be at least one pitched for 2017.


Ya know... There's a lot of folks who think brushless is a great way to go. The real question is, can you keep a brushless motor from stalling? And... is one in the same power class as a 775 at a reasonable price? (Actually, I'd bet the answer to the second question is "yes", and to the first is "it depends on what I'm using it for".)

What's wrong with stalling brushless motors?

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by EricH

Ya know... There's a lot of folks who think brushless is a great way to go.

Brushless motors use completely different controllers (at least three wires to the motor, for one thing). So unless the list of legal motor controllers was partial, brushless motors would not be useful.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by mman1506

What's wrong with stalling brushless motors?

Magic smoke. Most of the brushless motors in the hobby market--a likely source for FRC-level motors--are designed to run at speed with light loading. If you put a heavier load on them, they have a hard time.

There was a thread about a year or two ago with a lengthy discussion on benefits/drawbacks of brushless motors.

[Ari423]

Originally Posted by EricH

There was a thread about a year or two ago with a lengthy discussion on benefits/drawbacks of brushless motors.

Linked here.

[Mark Sheridan]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Just pitching a motor isn't sufficient. There needs to be enough donated for a motor (or other electrical component) to be made legal.

A sales pitch is a broad term. I am guessing that your thinking of an elevator pitch or any other short form pitch. I was thinking more of the full blown sales presentation, where you have all the details on the table to discuss.

I agree to your point, a pitch without addressing supply chain and donations would make a poor pitch.

[Mr. B]

Will the PG71 Gearmotors offered on FIRST Choice be Legal? Both have a 775 motor on them

[Mark McLeod]

Everything on FIRST Choice is legal by definition. (or maybe not :-) the season rules, rule )
The 775 motors on the PG71's are not Banebot motors which are the only ones that have been discontinued and thus made illegal.

[Peyton Yeung]

Originally Posted by Mr. B

Will the PG71 Gearmotors offered on FIRST Choice be Legal? Both have a 775 motor on them

The blog post said that the Banebots 775 would not be legal. It did not comment on the illegality of the AndyMark 775. In the past FIRST Choice components have always been FIRST legal.